The Nature Gradation Private House

Press Kit

Unique Properties

This is a private house for a young couple, located on the northern hill of minoo city, within osaka, japan. despite the fact that the area is fast developing and known for its rich natural environment, the houses have little to do with the local character. the project aims to highlight the relationship between humans and the nature, while acknowledging the natural qualities of the surroundings.

Dimensions & Packaging

Site area: 210.10 square meter/ Building area: 87.52 square meter/ Total floor area: 81.15 square meter/ Main structure: Wooden frame

Tags

Deep Eaves, Light Roof, Large Top Light, Two Pillars, Open Plan Interior, Minoh, Osaka, Japan, Japanese, historical

Production Technology

The deep eaves of the light roof extend the interior, while the nested nooks and crannies create an ambiguous space. in addition, a pair of openings visually connect the outside with the center of the building, and a large top light allows the green of the trees and the blue sky to penetrate through. the curtains on the outside adjust the sunlight and line of sight, and the two pillars like standing trees give a sense of security to the generous space.

Design Challenge

The higher the performance of housing, the higher the cost of housing in Japan today. In order for all people to be able to make use of environmentally friendly housing, it is necessary to consider the global environment and At the same time, it was necessary to reduce costs. By eliminating waste, we were able to achieve seismic rating 3 and thermal insulation rating 4, which is one of the highest standards in Japan in terms of current general technology.

Project Duration

The project began design in July 2018, construction began in December 2019, and the project was completed and placed in use by the City of Minoh in April 20020.

Operation Flow

The result is a light-hearted home that feels as if it is part of nature, rather than a landscape.

Research

This building has a well-balanced shape with large openings, and is designed to be able to withstand an earthquake in Japan, a country prone to earthquakes. It meets the requirements of an earthquake resistant rating of 3 and also meets excellent insulation performance standards. As a result, we have created a new type of building that, in addition to the high performance of the house, feels more like a part of nature than a landscape. We were able to achieve a serene atmosphere in the house.

Inspiration

Questioning the nature of modern housing, I has set the building at the suburban boundary between urban and nature. the specific location allows the inhabitants to form a close relationship with the environment. the north side of the site faces a community vegetable garden, while the blue shell mountain is visible in the background. the south side faces a road, while to the east and west, the site opens to the neighboring dwelling units.

Image Credits

photo:Masashige Akeda
video:Tanpan studio

Patents

Copyright information of the design: Yasyuki Kitamura, 2020

Colors of The Nature Gradation Private House